Date Pinwheel Cookies are a beloved vintage treat rooted in mid-20th-century American baking traditions. Popularized in the 1940s and 1950s, these cookies often appeared in holiday cookie tins and family gatherings. Combining rich dates and chopped nuts with a buttery, sugary dough, the recipe offers a nostalgic taste of homemade comfort. The “pinwheel” swirl not only makes them visually charming but also symbolizes the handmade effort and care of old-fashioned home baking. Originating as a practical way to use dried fruits, Date Pinwheel Cookies have stood the test of time as a cherished dessert across generations.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 lb dates (cut up)
- 1 cup nuts (chopped)
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
Cookie Mixture
- 1 cup shortening (part butter)
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 4 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
- Combine the dates, chopped nuts, sugar, and water in a saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat until thickened.
- Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
- In a large bowl, cream together the shortening (part butter), white sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Step 3: Assemble the Cookies
- Roll out dough on waxed paper into a rectangle.
- Spread the cooled date filling evenly over the dough.
- Roll up jelly-roll style and chill until firm.
Step 4: Bake the Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Slice chilled dough into ½-inch slices and place on baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.
Tips
- For added flavor, include a splash of vanilla extract in the dough.
- Try substituting walnuts with pecans for a nuttier taste.
- These cookies freeze well—store them for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 296mgPotassium: 123mgFiber: 2gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 22IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
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